It’s Okay!

No time to waste!

Akiol could see as the Hydra was already regenerating. He rapidly swung the knife as he launched forward!

{Origami Style: Hundred-Fold Lotus}!

The Hydra's body was split into more pieces. Allowing Akiol to push forward a little more. Yet with just a step blood shot from every piece and began to reform the body.

Akiol grit his teeth, "This regeneration is no joke!"

His Aura sparkled across the Hydra's body. For a fraction of a moment, everything was still.

Shing~~

Thousands of cuts spread across the Hydra's body at once! Dicing it apart with ease!

{Origami Style: Folding a Thousand Cranes}!

Akiol was able to see Mira's body at the center. He then doubled his efforts to charge forward. The chaotic mana prevent him from creating any footholds, but he didn't let that stop him! Blood shot forth and repaired the Hydra's body at an insanely fast pace. Akiol jumped towards Mira before being encompassed by the blood.

A Hydra's blood is known to be very corrosive material. Yet valuable if process properly. Akiol wasn't worried about collecting the blood, rather he was concerned about the rapid rate his body was being melted.

"I've already lost enough slime!"

He lacked the body to properly execute anymore techniques. The only thing keeping him alive was his Aura. Yet despite the defensive properties, he was fading quickly.

Pushing forward Akiol did everything he could. Stars then shouted, 'Use me! My scabbard is falling apart!'

Akiol weakly grabbed Stars and struggled to unsheathe him. With a flash of determination he forcefully pushed away the regenerating body and lifted Stars. A blackhole formed and expanded rapidly. The force pushed much of the blood back, giving Akiol a moment to move. Pushing forward he was soon almost encompassed by blood.

"Do it Stars!"

Stars' blade crackled, the area around him warped and began to swirl into the blade. Sound was momentarily muted as space itself was absorbed by Stars.

[Spacial Collapsion]!

By absorbing space itself Stars created a pocket of nothingness! Such a pocket is not allowed in the universe and space will quickly rectify it by closing around the pocket to forcefully close it. This process would collapse the space around Stars momentarily, and cause massive damage!

A sound louder than a thunderclap filled the ears. The explosion caused a massive hole to form inside the Hydra, and gave Akiol another glimpse of Mira.

He pushed every last bit of Aura he had to close the distance between them! His body was barely able to maintain his current shape, but still he pushed!

Akiol got close to Mira and immediately embraced him, "Mira! It's okay! Everything is okay!"

~ ~ ~

"Mira!"

Mira's eyes opened to see a lake within a forest. Several animals watched him curiously. An Elk with crystal orbs handing from its antlers approached Mira, "What troubles you?"

"It's all my fault. . ."

Mira scrunched up into a ball, "I didn't want this to happen. Why me? Why was I granted this strength? It's not fair!"

"Little one-"

"I-I killed the ones who were nice to me. I failed to protect who I wanted to. I can't do anything!"

"Little one."

"Why am I cursed?!"

"Mira."

Mira looked up, the elk slowly turned into an elder, "It's okay Mira."

"Village chief. . . ?"

"We know it's not your fault."

Tears welled up in Mira's eyes, "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

The elder hugged Mira, "It's not your fault, all of this isn't your fault."

"I'm sorry!"

"There's no need to apologize. We don't hate you."

Through his blurred eyes Mira saw the various creatures turn into the villagers. Unable to process it all Mira broke down into tears, "I'm sorry everyone!"

There was nothing but smiles and warmth given to Mira. As he was embraced by the same people the Hydra killed.

Despite being swarmed with such care, he only continued to apologize, "I'm so sorry!"

"No one blames you. It's okay."

Mira looked up shakily to the Village Chief. Their face blurred as they continued to comfort, "It's okay."

Everything warped and Mira saw Akiol, holding him. Akiol's voice entering his ears, "It's okay, it's not your fault."

"Akiol. . . Sensei!"

The blood paused, the Hydra's body paused. The Fourth Stages all paused and watched carefully. The Hydra then fell apart, falling into puddles of blood. Like an ice cube melting in the sun. What was revealed was a poorly formed Akiol holding Mira. A sad wail filling the air.

The Fourth Stars sighed in relief. The Orc smiled with relief, "He did it."

"The next generation is already quite something!"

The Berserker wasn't relieved. Instead they walked up to the two and pointed at Mira, "So this is the one responsible for this all?"

Mira shuddered, but Akiol held on to him. Looking at the Berserker Akiol said, "No, it was through cruel fate he was subjected to this."

"I can sense the Hydra's power coming from him. Clearly this one is the Calamity."

"The Hydra is no longer here anymore."

"Do not take me for a fool. The Hydra's Heart is this boy. If we kill this boy then the Calamity will be gone for good."

This wasn't supposed to happen. Akiol wasn't in a place to defend Mira either, "You're going to kill an innocent kid?"

"Innocent?! He's killed hundreds of thousands!"

"That wasn't him!"

"Regardless if it is or isn't, what remains as true is the fact that he is the Hydra! We cannot allow such a dangerous creature to remain!"

"I will take responsibility, just let the kid live."

The Sorcerer walked up, "I'm afraid we can't do that. Don't misunderstand, we're grateful that you managed to stop the Calamity. However we cannot let it continue to live."

The Orc grunted, "I feel bad, but it's true."

"Is your fear so rampant you're willing to stoop to the point of killing a kid?!"

"Don't mince our words, this isn't some kid!"

"You don't have to do this."

"Forgive me, but it's for the betterment of us all."

Akiol raised a hand, "Wait! Can you give me a moment?"

"Why?"

"I just need to speak with him for a moment."

"Ha! We won't let you-"

The Orc stopped the Fourth Star, "Hold it, we can do that much."

"You aren't seriously considering this are you?"

"Of course I am, we wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for him. Let's give them a moment. There's no way they can do anything anyways."

"Tsk, fine. I'll give you a few minutes, but don't even think about running."

Akiol gave his thanks via a gaze. He then pushed Mira slightly to look him in the eyes, "Mira, I want you to listen carefully."

Sniveling, Mira nodded. Akiol struggled to keep his body together as he explained, "There is only two ways I can think of that can save you. First, we separate you from the Hydra's Heart. This has a small chance of succeeding, the one responsible for this said it perfectly fused with your body. If we remove it there is no guarantee you'll live."

Facing such heavy words Mira felt more tears rising to the surface. Holding them in he asked, "What's the second choice?"

"I'll have to initiate a link with you. That way your power will be suppressed to my own, you'll be as strong as a Second Star. However you won't be able to go that far without me, additionally our lives will be synchronized. If any of us dies then so does the other."

Akiol carefully warned, "This is irreversible as far as I know. Your freedom will never truly be yours again."

"I-"

"There's also the option of you trying to fight your way for freedom. I'll leave the choice up to you."

Mira's face twisted, the choices were all catastrophic with no real guarantees that it'll succeed.

As Mira was making a decision, Stars was objecting, 'Absolutely not! Your soul might not be able to take it! You're already linked with one of the strongest beings: a Dragon. Also one of the Upper Four Swords! If you add a Hydra to the mix—an Origin one at that—the pressure will be immense!'

"I've been fine this whole time Stars."

'No! I will not let my wielder risk his existence!'

"Mira is one of us, an individual with unique circumstances. I'm not going to let him take the punishment for something he was never supposed to do."

'But you might die! If you die so will Mira! And Givale! A sacrifice worth nothing!'

"I'm fully aware of my limits."

'No!'

"Stars, I've made my mind. Now it's up to Mira to make his."

Mira lowered his head, "Can you promise me something?"

"Of course."

"Will you take me on lots of adventures? Teach me how to fight?"

"Why would I need to promise that?"

Mira looked up in shock, "Well-"

"We've already been doing that right? That's a given."

Mira weakly smiled, "Then I'll do the link!"

"Give me your hand."

~ ~ ~

The Orc sighed, "I feel terrible for the kid."

An exasperated sigh came from the Sorcerer, "It's a city destroying Hydra, there's no need to be sorry."

"That kid clearly never wanted to do this. Even if he did it so pitiable."

"Let's not get sentimental here. I don't want a child's blood on my hands either, but we can't just let him go."

"I know-"

Wooom~

A strange pulse passed through their bodies. The Sorcerer immediately shot forward, "I told them not to try anything!"

The Orc didn't move, instead a smirk formed upon his lips, "Truly I didn't expect that kind of play."

The Sorcerer paused in front of Mira and Akiol. Pointing his staff he shouted, "What did you do?!"

Akiol laughed weakly, "I linked with him, now he's merely a Second Star. He no longer poses a threat to you, and even if he was to go berserk again it wouldn't be impossible to restrain him."

"You linked with him?! You moron your soul will implode from the force!"

"I'm sure my soul is fine, however my physical body is not. I'm on my last legs here."

Akiol collapsed and his body automatically returned to the ball shape. Mira picked up Akiol and looked at the Sorcerer, "I am very sorry for what I've done. I know it cannot be repaid. But, I want to live too."

The Sorcerer grit his teeth and harrumphed, "You're but a Second Star, help carry the savior back to the ship. It's best we get a professional to look at him."

Mira nodded and followed behind. The other Fourth Stars were easily able to understand with just a glance. Excitement buzzed around them despite the just recent somber atmosphere. They were going to return home as heroes who stopped the Calamity! The fame they would receive would be incredibly beneficial!

Although the western half of the continent turned into a barren wasteland, perhaps through the destruction something incredible will arise. Through destruction the western half was freed from tyranny. The players were granted their freedom again, which was always something to celebrate about.

Only time will tell what might happen to the East Continent. Whether it be conflict over petty things, or united events that creates closer bonds with each other.

One thing was for sure, the future looked brighter than before.